Governor to stop in Craig today

Craig  Gov. Bill Ritter is scheduled to make his second formal Craig visit of the year today, when he hosts a community event as part of a statewide "Outreach Tour."

The tour began earlier this summer and has included stops across the state.

"We're saying thank you for electing the governor, updating the public on accomplishments of the first nine months in office and to give the governor perspective on what challenges (communities) are facing," Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said in a previous interview. "We're also continuing to listen to people and get a sense of how their governor can help."

Dreyer said the trip will include a roundtable discussion with invited business leaders from Moffat, Routt and Rio Blanco counties in the morning, and, later, a town hall forum scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon at The Boys & Girls Club of Craig.

Business leaders, residents, nonprofit agency leaders and local government officials from the three-county area may attend the town hall meeting. Topics for discussion include transportation workforce issues, health and child care, energy industry growth, severance tax use, Vermillion Basin land use, education, economy, outdoor recreation and hunting.

The governor will travel to Rifle and Eagle after the Craig visit.

"We're trying to visit as many different communities in the state as we can," Dreyer said. "The governor really likes engaging with the people."